Thread:

Arc Welder

Don't know what you're going to be welding, but I have a Lincoln 170 amp MIG welder (SP 170) and I love it, also have a Miller Millermatic with a MIG gun, the Miller is a better machine, but cost twice as much (with the MIG gun).

If you are going stick, I would consider getting a MIG...Depends on how heavy of material you're welding...The MIG gun can handle .035 and .040 aluminum wire...IMHO about one and a half steps below TIG...

GT

I already have a MIG so I was kind of hoping to get a Stick. I am taking a welding class in a few months and a big chunk of the class is focused on that. I'm not looking to do anything extreme for a project, just kind of something to mess around with and doing smaller projects with metal that isn't extremely thick. There is one on Harbor Freight for $150 that looks pretty sweet but I am having doubts on if it would even be worth having. It's an 80 Amp Inverter Arc Welder, electrode sizes 1/16'' to 3/32'', and the whole unit weighs about 8 lbs.

Originally Posted by The Ultimatum

I am thinking about purchasing an arc welder for doing random projects, nothing huge. Does anyone have any suggestions on what would be a good buy?

Without meaning any disrespect, this is like asking a crowd of folks at the mall "I'm thinking about driving, what car should I buy?"

This site has a very good sampling of technicians in almost every category. We have numerous welders at both shops. I have a Linde 305 Arc/Tig and a Miller 250 Mig welder at mine and the boys have a Miller Dynasty as well as a small Hobart mig and a Miller 220 volt arc welder. We use them all depending upon the application.

The more you detail your needs the better info you can get from these guys. There's nothing the guys on this site haven't done I've learned.

I wanted to learn stick and so I was looking for something that would be reasonable to start off with and explore.

I'm talking no more than putting a bunch of crap pieces of scrap metal together and doing random beads until I can actually know what I'm doing. I have a little grasp with a MIG welder I helped my buddy do his bed cage in a Ford Ranger, but thats the biggest project I've done with welding I just wanted to try something different.

I have a stick welder that I never use and haven't used for 20 years. It is packed away shrink wrapped on a pallett so I would have to move some stuff to get to it and see the model number and amp rating.

It looks identical to this welder though going from memory. Just probably an older model. I used the welder very little it may have 4-5 hours on it. I was never very good at stick welding.

I now have a little mig that I use when I need to weld something so I don't anticipate using this again.

I would take $200 for it if interested just let me know and I will climb up and see exactly what model it is.

Originally Posted by Rexone

I have a stick welder that I never use and haven't used for 20 years. It is packed away shrink wrapped on a pallett so I would have to move some stuff to get to it and see the model number and amp rating.

It looks identical to this welder though going from memory. Just probably an older model. I used the welder very little it may have 4-5 hours on it. I was never very good at stick welding.

I now have a little mig that I use when I need to weld something so I don't anticipate using this again.

I would take $200 for it if interested just let me know and I will climb up and see exactly what model it is.

Grab that thing ^ and don't bat an eye! You'll have it when your kids retire.

Lincoln Arc Welder -AC/DC 225 Amp http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...9|&locale=1033

Hobart LX 235AC/160DC http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/stick/

Miller XL 225 AC / 150 DC http://www.millerwelds.com/products/stick/

I have the Hobart and love it. I also have a Miller 250X mig with a spool gun both 10 yrs old and going strong.

All are great welders you will never look back with one of these. JMO